RiverDogs send three to Tampa

Charleston RiverDogs center fielder Mason Williams, right fielder Tyler Austin and catcher Gary Sanchez were promoted by the New York Yankees and will play for Tampa of the Florida State League.

“I am very happy for all three of those guys,” RiverDogs manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday. “They played hard for us, and I wish them all good luck.”

Williams, a 6-1, 180-pound native of Winter Garden, Fla., batted .304 in 69 games with 19 doubles, four triples and eight homers while driving in 28 runs along with 19 stolen bases. He was selected to the South Atlantic League All-Star team and was originally a fourth-round draft pick by the Yankees in 2009 out of West Orange (Fla.) High School.

Austin was one of the most dangerous power hitters in the SAL during his time in Charleston. He has been among the league leaders in home runs all season with 14. He also has 22 doubles, 54 runs batted in, 14 stolen bases and 69 runs. Austin, 6-2 and 200 pounds, was also named to the SAL All-Star team. He was selected by the Yankees in the 2009 draft in the 13th round out of Heritage High and is a native of Conyers, Ga.

Sanchez, 6-2 and 220 pounds, served as Charleston’s primary catcher this season, his second with the RiverDogs. He has been a feared power hitter in 2012, totaling 13 homers, 19 doubles and 56 RBIs in 68 games. He also had 11 steals.

He joined Austin and Williams on the SAL All-Star team. Sanchez, who hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was originally signed by the Yankees in July 2009 as an international free agent.

In corresponding roster moves, the Yankees announced the RiverDogs have received pitcher Melvin Mercedes, outfielder Eduardo Sosa, and catcher Tyson Blaser from Tampa.

Tampa is in the High-A Florida State League. The RiverDogs are members of the Low-A South Atlantic League.